Contract 10-0U8204

The
responses to bidder's inquiries, unless incorporated into a formal addendem
to the contract, are not a part of the contract and are provided for the
bidder's convenience only. In some instances, the question and answer may
represent a summary of the matters discussed rather than a word-for-word
recitation. The availability or use of information provided in the responses
to bidder's inquiries is not to be construed in any way as a waiver of
the provisions of Section 2-1.03 of the Standard Specifications or any
other provision of the contract, the plans, Standard Specifications or
Special Provisions, nor to excuse the contractor from full compliance with
those contract requirements. Bidders are cautioned that subsequent responses
or contract addenda may affect or vary a response previously given.

Q1) This project has a 5% DVBE goal on it. What happens if this goal is not met? Is the bid considered non-responsive?

A1) The bidder must meet the contract 5% DVBE requirement to be responsive. 8Mar11

Q2) What happens if you do not receive quotes totaling an amount of 5% of the bid? Does this make you ineligible to bid this particular project?

A2) It is the bidders' responsibility to make enough work available to certified DVBEs to meet the contract DVBE requirement. In addition to contacting DVBE organizations and other solicitations, the Department encourages bidders to use the Prime Ad and Opt-In website tools to find interested subcontractors and suppliers. For this contract, the website links are:
Prime contractors looking for help: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/esc/oe/weekly_ads/advertise.php?ad=10-0U8204
See opt-in records: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/esc/oe/planholders/listopt.php?c=10-0U8204 8Mar11

Q3) In the past when DVBE participation was being specified into many projects, many materials were passed through many third party DVBE's which had nothing to do with the project. This was acceptable to caltrans since they had been issued a DVBE certification. Are third party pass throughs still acceptable?

A3) To be counted for credit towards the 5 percent DVBE contract requirement, DVBE participation must be a commercially-useful function. Brokering materials will not be given full credit, only the markups or fees will count towards the contract requirement. 8Mar11

Q4) Shouldn't this be a different binder? example PG 64-16?

A4) Please refer to Addendum No. 1, dated March 25, 2011. 29Mar11

Q5) The specials are stating that the binder grade for the type A HMA is to be PG 64-28. Is this the correct grade of Asphalt Binder? Other jobs specified the grade to be PG 64-10 or PG 70-10.